Strictly Come Dancing

Brucie & Dave to go! Dave looks as if he's in a video for camp exercises.

numberplease, your sons idea would be so much better. I can't dance myself but I do enjoy watching it.

I have never bothered to vote for my favourite dancer before but if Hairy Biker Dave is receiving a lot of votes, then we must make a huge effort and vote for who we want to see returning the following week. I saw him interviewed by Zoe Ball on BBC2, and he seems as determined as ever to carry on. So come on ladies and cast your votes, every single one counts and at least you can feel you have done your bit towards seeing proper dancers continue in the competition.

What really really annoys me is seeing trained dancers (yes, I do mean you, Natalie) get brilliant marks week after week. They say they've never done ballroom, which may be true, but basic dance training gives them a terrific advantage over those hapless souls who have never had any and who work very hard week after week to try and improve. It's quite moving when they turn in a creditable performance, and vastly irritating when Natalie and those of her ilk simper with false modesty after receiving fulsome praise from the judges. They SHOULD be good - they're trained!!

Well said skate. Natalie should never have been allowed to start as she has a very unfair advantage.

I do so agree - Natalie always turns in a wonderful performance, but so she should! It really isn't a level playing field from the start, and the problem with all these programmes where the viewers' votes count is that a lot just vote for those they like/fancy rather than those who actually deserve it.

And so it's Saturday again. I know this week's been a hard, and sad, week for many, so maybe some relaxation in front of SCD tonight might be a good thing.

Knowing how incredibly hard the 'celebs' (and their partners) have worked, I can't wait to see tonight's show. At the half way mark the pressure is huge--especially with the hope of dancing at Blackpool next week.
DD came back from the long rehearsal day last night but still summoned the energy to have a loving evening with her family. My 8 year old grandson follows every move with a critical eye, and wanted to be shown how the men should hold their partners for a waltz. So I had the pleasure of seeing him (trying to) waltz his mum around the kitchen. Even though he was in pyjamas and she was 'dressed down' it was beautiful to watch.
I hope we can all have our ready, give our worries a night off, and just enjoy!
And if you're not sure who to vote for--please vote for the DD's Waltz

After two busy weekends when I missed SCD, I'm looking forward to getting my pjs on (yes, even at 6.30!) and relaxing on the sofa, while shouting at Tess and Bruce!
I'm afraid her continual posturing is driving me mad!

This year I don't have a favourite, so good luck to Susanna.

Yes, fingers crossed for Susanna. I also have a fondness for Abbey. She looks so lovely and sophisticated but when she opens her mouth, she's pure Scouse. And she has proved to be a very able dancer.

Hell's bells! Strictly clashes with Rugby! What a choice! But I have to watch Strictly and record the Rugby, because I feel the need to cast my votes!

Poor you, Anno what a choice! I agree Abbey is great--but if you could spare a few votes for DD as well, I shall be eternally grateful. Voting is earlier tonight--SCD finishes just before 8pm!

I'm going to cheer Susanna on tonight. I can't stand Tess's posturing, and Bruce's terrible jokes, but I do have a soft spot for him nowadays.

Who is DD?

Skate, DD/dear daughter, In this case it's GrandaMiney's daughter who is on Srictly!

No problem, Miney, I use my five internet votes very wisely and you can be sure that I won't pass over Susanna.

Sorry Skate I was sussed on page 3!
DD made it into Gransnet last year when I started a thread about 'Walking a marathon in a day' in the Exercise forum. I had such a lot of support from many Gransnetters, and DD brought her boys down to Salisbury so they could walk their G'ma over the finishing line "like we did when mummy did her marathon". I had walked 26 miles cross country from Winchester to Salisbury, for charity. It took me 10 hours and I was shattered! The thought of seeing my grandsons kept me going.
DD is not 'dance-trained', she just works incredibly hard, loves the sheer joy of dancing and finds being taught by a professional (from Grimsby!) to dance for Strictly an enormous privilege.
Hope you enjoy tonight--whoever you vote for!

Oh I see! Susanna is very good - and I speak as an ex professional dancer. Many many moons ago, of course. I love seeing those like her blossom week after week - that's what it's all about. I shall miss tonight's show, unfortunately. Good luck to everyone!

It's still Big Ben for me, I'm afraid - can't think why!

Thanks skate a professional dancer's opinion is always interesting.
If I wasn't such a bundle of nerves tonight--it's the scariest week yet , forget Hallowe'en, I'd suggest you did a critique after each show!
kitty what are you hoping Ben has in store?

GM, what a lovely waltz and what a gorgeous dress they made for Susanna. The performance made me feel unusually emotional. Brilliant! And Patrick is now my co-favourite.

Wow! Susanna's waltz was breathtaking. I thought the standard was high tonight - apart from Dave. Please let this be his last week.

Susanna was wonderful as usual, she's so enthusiastic! I'm afraid I can't warm to Sophie at all, although she dances very well.

Disappointed with Mark's performance this week, not his best, and Dave just yomped around...

I thought Patrick and Susanna were both good, and Abby seems to be really enjoying herself now and dancing very well.
I think both Mark and Dave should go now.

Did anyone else think that Tess and Claudia were much better this week?
No posturing from Tess and humour from wacky Claudia, a great improvement on old Brucie.

I love Tess and Claudia and much prefer the show when they are 'running' it. We are always trying to come up with replacements for Bruce but the two girls do just fine

I thought Abbey's Cabaret Charleston was great and if DD wasn't involved, Abbey would get all my votes
I couldn't help it--I cried my way through the waltz, I just didn't know DD had it in her. I shall not know until tomorrow evening if she will dance in Blackpool--or if my G'ma services are needed next week for my lovely grandsons. We respect the secrecy, and I have to wait with trepidation.
But I really appreciate the positive comments from fellow Gransnetters. Please let me know if you ever need my support.
However--if DD doesn't get through this week--after that waltz--I'm throwing out my television!!!

I missed the entire programme due to " no signal". I am not a happy bunny.